Obituary

MANCHESTER - Henri R. Thibault, 81, died on July 7th 2015 after an extended illness at his ancestral birthplace, along the Gaspé Peninsula in Cap Chat, Quebec. He was born July 5th 1934 in Manchester, NH, son of the late Aimé and Agnes (Vallee) Thibault. Henri (Hank) grew up in Manchester, NH and attended local schools and was previously a parishioner of the former St. John the Baptist church. He proudly worked for Genest Bakery for 20 years in various positions, and later opened and operated Hank’s Auto Body Shop after the bakery was sold, until his retirement.
Henri enjoyed politics and was an avid downhill skier, enjoying skiing into his 70's. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife in their RV and spending time with family in the New Hampshire Lakes Region during summer, while enjoying the mild winters in Florida.
Fiercely proud of his Canadian heritage, Henri was a member of The Thibault Association of America and traveled yearly to attend reunions throughout Canada, having successfully hosted one such event in the City of Manchester.
In earlier years, Henri spent many tireless hours in service of his local community. He was a 20 year veteran of the City of Manchester’s Board of Mayor and Alderman, faithfully serving his beloved Ward 11 residents on the west side of the city, where the Thibault Sports Field was later dedicated in his honor. During his tenure as Alderman, he maintained memberships at both the Joliet and Richelieu Clubs, along with other various organizations.
Over the years Henri was a major influence in the lives of many of the city’s youth, dedicating himself to serving and fund raising efforts for the children of St. Peter’s Orphanage in Manchester. Henri was the founder of the Queen City Ski Club, travelling throughout the Northeast, Canada and Europe on downhill ski adventures with a group of up to 100 teenagers from all over the granite state, and was later presented with the key to city after being voted the best youth group in the City of Manchester. Henri was also a long-time member of the Boy Scouts of America, actively planning and organizing white-water rafting trips to Canada for the boys of Sacred Heart’s Parish, Troop 135, and hosting scouters from all around the globe through the international scouting program.
Henri was predeceased in death by his parents, his sister Rose and brothers Raymond and Gerard. He is survived by his brother Robert Thibault and his wife Cecylia (Ziobro) of Hernando, FL.
Henri is also survived by his wife of 33 years Beverly (Kelley) Thibault; his daughter Catherine (Thibault) and son-in-law John Van Zyl of Ponte Vedra, FL, along with their daughter Miranda and son Casey; step-son Kelly Caron of North Carolina, his wife Cindy (Grass) and their three children Chelsea, Casey and Dylan; step-daughter Kathy (Caron) Powers of Gilmington, NH and her children Kristie, Katie and Austin; step-daughter Tracy (Caron) Leach of Wolfboro, NH, her husband Stephen and their four children Brendan, Madison, Connor and Olivia; foster-son Dennis McCarthy of Tilton, NH, his wife Susan and their children Sean, Ryan, Colton and Deana.
Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins both near and far. The family especially thanks his extended Canadian family, for all they did to make his final days so very special.
A mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Parish of the Transfiguration, formerly St. John the Baptist at 305 Kelley Street, Manchester, NH. Burial took place at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Henri’s memory to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

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